Parking lot and associated process

ABSTRACT

A parking lot for motorized land vehicles including beams supporting ends of concrete slabs through the use of connecting plates fixed to the beams and through the use of a concrete strip connecting the ends of the concrete slabs. Also, the method of assembling the parking lot or supporting structure.

DOMAIN

The present invention relates to the field of motorized land vehicleparking lots. More specifically, it relates to the field of parking lotswith a wooden load-bearing structure.

BACKGROUND

In conventional construction, a parking lot for motorized land vehiclessuch as cars or motorcycles, for example, is usually built usingconventional masonry techniques that include the construction ofconcrete posts and the pouring of imposing concrete slabs directly onthe construction site. The logistics of this type of car park is wellmastered but requires manufacturing. Also, the manufacture of smallparking units near or in cities is difficult because of the constructionon site. Moreover, such a parking lot cannot be dismantled in any wayand even less can it be reassembled at another location.

To date, no satisfactory solution has been found. However, thesimplicity of installation coupled with the possibility ofassembling/dismantling a car park are major challenges to be taken upwith a view to allowing a given car park to be installed in a givenlocation for a relatively short period of time (a few years) compared toexisting car parks. Indeed, the development of innovative parkingfacilities is part of current public policies aimed at promotingmultimodal travel (several types of transport modes). In addition,transport habits are expected to change significantly in the comingyears because of restrictions on the use of private vehicles in citycenters, so that it will be necessary to provide users with theopportunity to park their vehicles as close as possible to anothertransport mode by rapidly developing parking facilities. Also,demountability proves to be an important criterion to avoidgeographically freezing the travel logic.

The invention aims in particular to provide a simple and economicalsolution to the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, this document proposes a self-supporting structure, morespecifically a parking lot for land vehicles, especially motorizedvehicles, comprising :

-   -   a wooden structure comprising at least two primary beams        extending in a first direction and secondary beams connecting        the primary beams and extending in a second direction distinct        from the first direction, posts extending in a third direction        perpendicular to said first and second directions and supporting        said ends of said primary beams,    -   at least one metal plate being integral with one face of a        primary beam oriented in the third direction, connecting members        being integral with the metal plate and arranged to project in        the said third direction,    -   a concrete slab being formed in contact with the metal plate in        such a way that the connecting members are embedded in the        concrete slab.

This document also concerns a self-supporting structure for landvehicles, particularly motorized vehicles, including :

-   -   a wooden structure comprising at least two primary beams        extending in a first direction and secondary beams connecting        the primary beams and extending in a second direction        perpendicular to the first direction, posts extending in a third        direction perpendicular to said first and second directions and        supporting said ends of said primary beams,    -   at least one metal plate being integral with one face of a        primary beam oriented in the third direction, connecting members        being integral with the metal plate and arranged to project in        the said third direction,    -   a concrete slab being formed in contact with the metal plate so        that the connecting members are embedded in the concrete slab.

The parking lot or more generally the self-supporting structure, thusconfigured includes a wooden bearing structure and a traffic, parkingand more generally vehicle support structure which is made of concrete.The wood/concrete connection is made by connecting members integral withthe metal plate and formed protruding in the third direction, theseconnecting members allowing a rigid connection of the plate with theconcrete slab. The concrete slab is intended to form a traffic, parkingand more generally vehicle support floor and is therefore horizontal.

The concrete slab can thus be poured directly on site above the metalplate but it can also be formed of several first concrete slabsconnected by a connecting strip as shown in the following paragraph.These first concrete slabs are thus unitary elements assembled togetherto form all or part of the concrete slab. Indeed, the concrete slab caninclude a first row of first concrete slabs.

Thus, in a specific realization, the concrete slab can include :

-   -   a plurality of first concrete slabs arranged side by side along        the first direction between said primary beams and comprising        first edges extending in the first direction, preferably aligned        with each other,    -   a concrete connecting strip formed in contact with the metal        plate and in contact with the first edges of the first concrete        slabs, the connecting members being embedded in the connecting        strip.

It is understood that the concrete slab can comprise several firstunitary elements of concrete slabs or first concrete slabs that areassembled together to form the concrete slab.

In this configuration, the concrete slab consists of individualelements, i.e. first concrete slabs that can be suppliedpre-assembled/pre-assembled on the manufacturing site of theself-supporting structure, more specifically the parking lot, thusreducing the time required for its realization, as well as simplifyingthe operations to be carried out on site. Contrary to the classicaltechnique, it is proposed here to build the structure in wood, anecological material if any, to add the first pre-assembled concreteslabs whose assembly with the wooden structure is made with a connectingstrip arranged between the first concrete slabs and in contact with themetal connecting plate.

The combination of a metal plate, protruding connecting elements and aconcrete connecting strip allows a simple and fast assembly of theconcrete slabs with the wooden structure.

This innovative design makes it possible to prefabricate all the basicelements, i.e. the primary beams, secondary beams and first concreteslabs in the workshop and only have to carry out the only assembly onsite.

Each first precast concrete slab can extend from one primary beam toanother primary beam. Each first concrete slab may have a substantiallyrectangular shape such that the first edges are formed on the shortedges of said rectangular shape.

According to another feature of the invention, either the concrete slabor said connecting strip can connect one end of the primary beam to anopposite end of said primary beam under consideration. In this way, theconnection between the concrete slab or the connecting strip and theprimary beam is made along the entire length of the primary beam. In themore specific case where the concrete slab includes a connection strip,a mechanical connection between the first concrete slab and the primarybeam is obtained over the entire length of the primary beam.

The concrete slab may comprise a steel framework embedded in a concretematrix. This metal framework covers the metal plate and the connectingmembers pass through the metal framework in the third direction. Themetal framework is preferably arranged, in the third direction, betweenthe metal plate and the heads of the connecting members. The metalframework extends in a plane comprising the first and second directions.

Preferably, each first concrete slab may comprise a first metalframework embedded in a concrete matrix, said first metal framework ofeach first slab comprising a portion formed protruding in the seconddirection relative to the first edges of the first concrete slabs andbeing embedded in said concrete connecting strip. In this configuration,the portions of the first steel framework of the steel framework arearranged above a metal plate with the connecting members passing throughthe first steel framework.

Each first concrete slab may still include reservation holes formed inthe thickness of the first concrete slabs and arranged regularly alongthe first direction. These holes are useful after disassembly of theassembly according to the invention to allow the insertion of new metalbars, thus allowing the creation of new framework, parts of whichprotrude from the first edges of the concrete slabs.

When a first concrete slab is in place between primary beams, saidreservation holes can extend in the second direction. In addition, theholes may open at the first edges.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the self-supportingstructure and more particularly a parking lot comprises second concreteslabs whose first edges are arranged, in the second direction oppositethe first edges of the first concrete slabs, the connecting stripfixedly connecting the first edges of the first slabs and the firstedges of the second slabs. Thus, the fixing between two concrete slabsaligned in the second direction is carried out with the same connectingstrip and on a metal plate of the same primary beam. In thisconfiguration, the portions of the second steel framework are arrangedabove a metal plate, with the connecting members passing through thesecond steel framework.

More generally, the concrete slab can comprise N rows each comprisingunitary concrete slab elements, called K-th concrete slab, which areassembled to form all or part of the concrete slab. Each K-th row, Kvarying from 1 to N, comprising K-th concrete slabs. The first edges ofthe K-th concrete slabs are arranged opposite the first edges of theK-th+1 concrete slabs. Each K-th row of K-th concrete slabs extends inthe first direction.

In this specific configuration, the protruding portions of the first andsecond metal frameworks are connected to each other by a connectingstrip.

The second concrete slabs may include reservation holes as describedpreviously in reference to the first concrete slabs.

In a practical realization of the invention, the connecting memberscomprise a body elongated in the third direction, one end of which isfixed to the metal plate by welding. Also, the metal plate can be nailedto the said face of the primary beam. By nailing the plate, the metalinterface carrying the connecting members is fixed by an operationwidely recognized for its reliability and accepted by the standards inforce.

The plate could also be fixed by screwing in order to provide betterresistance to tearing forces and to simplify the fixing of the plate tothe primary beam.

In addition, one end of each connecting member may comprise an elongatedbody, in the third direction, one end of which is connected to the plateand an opposite end of which comprises a head that forms a shoulder withthe body. This shoulder makes it possible to achieve an adequateconnection of each rod with the concrete of the connecting strip.

The secondary beams can be connected at their ends to the primary beamsby means of fixing brackets. Each bracket is fastened to the primarybeams with screws or preferably with tie rods and is bolted to thesecondary beams.

The invention also relates to a process for assembling a self-supportingstructure and more particularly a parking lot as described above andcomprising the following steps :

-   -   a) Arrange the posts in a vertical direction,    -   b) Connect said posts by means of primary beams, said primary        beams being supported by said posts,    -   c) Arrange said secondary beams between the primary beams and        attach their ends to said primary beams,    -   d) Form a concrete slab in such a way that it is in contact with        the metal plate and that the connecting members are embedded in        the concrete slab.

The process can still include the following steps when it includes aconcrete slab comprising at least first concrete slabs as mentionedabove :

-   -   e) Arrange the first concrete slabs between the primary beams        and above the secondary beams so that their first edges extend        in the first direction,    -   f) Pour a concrete bonding strip in contact with the metal plate        and said first edges so as to cover said bonding members.

Also, the process includes a step g) subsequent to step f) whichcomprises making a cut along said first edges of the concrete slabs soas to disassociate said first concrete slabs from the wooden structure.

Thus, when reservation holes have been provided, it is possible toassemble the self-supporting structure and more specifically the parkinglot, to dismantle it and then reassemble it, in a step h) subsequent tostep g), by inserting metal fixing bars in the reservation holes of eachconcrete slab.

The invention will be better understood and other details,characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear when readingthe following description made as a non-limitative example withreference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a self-supporting structurewhich is a parking lot according to the invention ;

-   -   FIG. 2 is a larger scale schematic view of the area delineated        by the dotted line in FIG. 1;    -   FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a parking lot assembly        according to the invention ;    -   FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the connection between        a primary beam and a secondary beam for an assembly according to        the invention ;    -   FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the connection between        two concrete slabs at a primary beam;    -   FIG. 6 is another schematic perspective view of the connection        between two concrete slabs at a primary beam;    -   FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective and cross-sectional view in a        plane parallel to the concrete slabs of the connection between        two concrete slabs, at the level of a primary beam    -   FIG. 8 is a schematic view according to a sectional drawing        extending along two secondary beams and crossing a primary beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a parking lot 10 according tothe invention comprising a plurality of module 10 a with wood structureand concrete slab as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is here a schematic view ofinclined bracing beams 12 allowing to provide rigidity to the wholeparking lot 10 and essentially to limit horizontal deformations.

Reference will be made to the first direction D1, second direction D2and third direction D3 to describe Parking Lot 10 in thethree-dimensional space. The above directions may all be perpendicularto each other in pairs. The first direction D1 and the second directionD2 together define a horizontal plane and the third direction D3 definesan orientation perpendicular to said plane and therefore orientedsubstantially vertically. Also, the first direction may not be strictlyperpendicular to the second direction and therefore distinct from thefirst direction, with the third direction perpendicular to both thefirst and second directions.

It must be understood that the term “parking lot” means any constructioncapable of allowing the parking of several vehicles, the dimension ofthe said construction or the number of vehicles not being parametersthat must allow a semantic distinction to be made.

Thus, FIG. 3 represents a part or module 10 a of the parking lotillustrated in FIG. 1. It is understood that the said part 10 a can alsobe considered as forming a parking lot as such, as long as it is capableof fulfilling the function of parking several vehicles. We will firstdescribe a module 10 a and its cooperation with other adjacent modulesin the three directions of space.

This module 10 a consists of a wooden structure with two primary beams14 or primary horizontal support elements that extend in a firstdirection D1 . They are parallel to each other and arranged at adistance from each other along the second direction D2. A plurality ofsecondary beams 16 or secondary horizontal support elements extendbetween the primary beams 14 and connect the primary beams 14 to eachother. In construction, these secondary beams 16 are classically calledjoists. There are more secondary beams 16 than primary beams 14 for eachmodule 10 a. Module 10 a also includes vertically extending columns 18or vertical support elements, i.e. in the third direction D3. Each post18 is attached by a lower end to a base plate 20 fixed to the ground andhas a recess 22 formed along its height to support the ends of each ofthe primary beams 14. These ends of the primary beams 14 are bolted tothe columns

Each primary beam 14 has a bottom face 20 and a top face 22 oriented inthe third direction D3 and two side faces 24 oriented in the seconddirection D2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ends of each secondary beam 16 comprise a slot26 for receiving a second flat part 28 b of a fixing bracket 28 whichcomprises a first flat part 28 a perpendicular to the second part 28 b.The first part 28 a is fixed, e.g. by means of tie rods, to a side face24 of a primary beam 14. The second part 28 b is bolted to the secondarybeam. Each secondary beam 16 is aligned in the second direction D2 withanother secondary beam 16 intended to connect with an adjacent module 10a. Thus, we understand that a primary beam 14 belongs to a given module10 a but also to the immediately adjacent module since it is bolted onboth sides according to the second direction D2 to other secondary beams16.

According to the invention, each upper side 22 of a primary beam 14carries a metal plate 30 which is fixed to said upper side 22. Thethickness of the plate is best seen in FIG. 8. In a practicalrealization, the metal plate 30 is fixed by means of nails 32 passingthrough the plate 30 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and extending through the thicknessof the primary beam and in a direction forming an angle at least equalto 30° with respect to the plane formed by directions D1 and D3 in orderto resist tearing forces. The plate can still be fixed by screwing withscrews engaged in direction D3. The plate 30 has connecting elements 34which project from the upper side 22 of the metal plate 30 in the thirddirection D3. These connecting members 34 each comprise a body 36elongated in the third direction D3. A lower end of the body is fixed,for example by welding, to plate 30 and an upper end carries a head 38forming a shoulder with the rest of the body 36 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 3 and following represent a particular realization in which theconcrete slab forming a vehicle support floor is made up of severalfirst concrete slabs and connecting strips as is clear from thefollowing description.

Thus, FIG. 3 shows a plurality of first concrete slabs 40 a arrangedside by side along the first direction D1 between said primary beams 14and including first edges 42 extending along the first direction D1.These first edges 42 are here aligned with each other and are arrangedso that they do not bear on the metal plates 30. As can be seen in thisfigure, each concrete slab 40 a has a substantially rectangular shapecomprising the two first edges 42 or short edges connected to two secondedges 44 or long edges (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). The second edges 44 thusextend in the second direction D2.

In order to allow a quick and easy assembly on site, it is proposed toprefabricate the first concrete slabs 40 a, as well as second concreteslabs 40 b. Thus, each slab 40 a includes a first metal framework 46 orwire mesh embedded in a layer or matrix of concrete. The first metalframework of each slab 40 a is formed so as to have projecting portions48 in the second direction D2 relative to the first edges 42 of thefirst concrete slabs 40 a. In this way, said projecting portions 46 ofthe first steel framework 46 are arranged above the steel plates 30. Aprotruding portion of a first metal framework of a first slab 40 a beingarranged facing each other in the second direction D2 with a protrudingportion 48 of a second metal framework 46 of an adjacent second slab 40b in the second direction D2.

According to the invention, a concrete connecting strip 50 is formed onthe metal plate 30 and shaped by an appropriate formwork so as toachieve the connection between the first edges of the first slabs andthe second slabs (FIGS. 3, 6 and 8). The concrete connecting strip 50allows a rigid connection of the two concrete slabs 40 a, 40 b by meansof the protruding portions 48 of the steel framework 46. The concreteconnection strip 50 thus formed provides a perfect connection of firstslabs 40 a with second slabs 40 b arranged on either side of a primarybeam 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, each link is dimensioned and the first and secondsteel framework 30 of slabs 40 a, 40 b are positioned so that the headof each link is arranged higher than the steel framework 46. In thisway, the heads 38 of the bonding members 34 can be located in an upperpart of the bonding strip 50 corresponding in operation to a compressionlayer. Preferably, the connecting element 34 should have a dimension inthe third direction D3 greater than or equal to half the thickness ofthe connecting strip 50.

The parking lot 10 a proposed here allows a simple assembly on site aswell as a simple dismantling when reservation holes 52 are provided inthe concrete slabs 40 a, 40 b during their manufacture in the workshop.FIGS. 5 and 6 show reservation holes 52 formed in slabs 40 a, 40 b.These holes 52 are designed to open in the second direction D2 and atthe first edges 42 of the slabs. These openings 52 are obviouslyinitially closed during the initial installation of parking lot 10, 10 ato prevent the concrete of the connecting strip 50 from closing them.

The initial assembly of the parking lot 10 a is carried out as follows:

-   -   a) The posts 18 are arranged according to the vertical direction        D3,    -   b) said posts 18 are connected by means of primary beams 14,        said primary beams 14 being supported by said posts 18,    -   c) The said secondary beams 16 are placed between the primary        beams 14 and their ends are fixed to the said primary beams 14,    -   d) The concrete slab is shaped so that it is in contact with the        metal plate (30) and the connecting elements (34) are embedded        in the concrete slab.

When the concrete slab is formed with at least first concrete slabs andpotentially with second concrete slabs as well:

-   -   e) The first concrete slabs 40 a are arranged between primary        beams 14 and above secondary beams 16 so that their first edges        42 extend in the first direction D1,    -   f) Pour a concrete connecting strip 50 in contact with the metal        plate 30 and said first edges 42 so as to cover said connecting        members 34.

Of course, when one wishes to make a connection as shown in FIG. 5between first concrete slabs 40 a and second concrete slabs 40 barranged on either side of a primary beam 14, according to the seconddirection, one places the second slabs 40 b before pouring theconnection strip 50. The connecting strip 50 then ensuring theconnection between the first edges 42 of the first concrete slabs 40 aand the second concrete slabs 40 b.

If, after several years of use, parking lot 10, 10 a is to bedismantled, it is sufficient in step g) to cut the connecting strip 50at the first edges 42 of the first slabs 40 a and, if necessary, thesecond slabs 40 b. Of course, the cut-out also eliminates the protrudingportions 48 of the metal framework 46, which can be replaced in step h)by means of substitute metal bars that are inserted into the reservationholes 52 before reassembling the parking lot 10, 10 a.

It should be noted that vehicle circulation will be planned to becarried out in the second direction D2 so that the braking forces can betransmitted to the wooden structure as well as possible.

It should be understood that this description also includes a parkinglot in which the concrete slab is monobloc and does not include firstconcrete slabs and second concrete slabs. In such a construction, theconcrete slab is poured directly over the metal plates 30 by anappropriate formwork and allows the concrete zones previously formed bythe first and second concrete slabs to be formed. The realizationprocess of this parking lot then includes steps a) to d). It isunderstandable that this parking lot is more difficult to dismantlebecause of the lack of use of several first and second concrete slabs.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A self-supporting structure, such as a parking lotfor land vehicles, in particular motorized vehicles, comprising : awooden structure comprising at least two primary beams extending in afirst direction and secondary beams connecting the primary beams andextending in a second direction distinct from the first direction, postsextending in a third direction perpendicular to said first and seconddirections and supporting said ends of said primary beams, at least onemetal plate being integral with a face of a primary beam oriented in thethird direction, connecting members being integral with the metal plateand arranged to project in the said third direction, a concrete slabbeing formed in contact with the metal plate so that the connectingmembers are embedded in the concrete slab.
 19. The self-supportingstructure according to claim 18, wherein the concrete slab comprises : aplurality of first concrete slabs arranged side by side along the firstdirection between said primary beams and comprising first edgesextending along the first direction, preferably aligned with each other,a concrete connecting strip formed in contact with the metal plate andin contact with the first edges of the first concrete slabs, theconnecting members being embedded in the connecting strip.
 20. Theself-supporting structure according to claim 19, wherein each firstconcrete slab comprises a first metal framework embedded in a concretematrix, said first metal framework of each first concrete slabcomprising a portion formed protruding in the second direction relativeto first edges of the first concrete slabs and being embedded in saidconcrete connecting strip.
 21. The self-supporting structure accordingto claim 20, wherein each first concrete slab comprises reservationholes formed in the thickness of the first concrete slabs and arrangedregularly along the first direction.
 22. The self-supporting structureaccording to claim 21, wherein said reservation holes extend in thesecond direction.
 23. The self-supporting structure according to claim19, further comprising second concrete slabs whose first edges arearranged, in the second direction opposite the first edges of the firstconcrete slabs, the connecting strip fixedly connecting the first edgesof the first slabs and the first edges of the second slabs.
 24. Theself-supporting structure according to claim 19, wherein said connectingstrip connects one end of the primary beam to an opposite end of saidprimary beam under consideration.
 25. The self-supporting structureaccording to claim 18, wherein each connecting member comprises a bodyelongated in the third direction, one end of which is attached to themetal plate by welding.
 26. The self-supporting structure according toclaim 18, wherein each connecting member comprises a body elongated inthe third direction, one end of the body being fixed to the metal plateand an opposite end comprising a head defining a shoulder with the body.27. The self-supporting structure according to claim 18, in which eachconcrete slab comprises a metal framework (46) embedded in a concretematrix.
 28. The self-supporting structure according to claim 18, inwhich the secondary beams are connected at their ends to the primarybeams by means of fastening brackets.
 29. The self-supporting structureaccording to claim 18, wherein said at least one metal plate is nailedor screwed to said face of the primary beam.
 30. The self-supportingstructure according to claim 18, wherein said second direction isperpendicular to the first direction.
 31. A method of assembling theself-supporting structure according to claim 18, comprising thefollowing steps : a) Arrange the posts in a vertical direction, b)Connecting said posts by means of primary beams, said primary beamsbeing supported by said posts, c) Arrange said secondary beams betweenthe primary beams and attach their ends to said primary beams, d) Form aconcrete slab in such a way that it is in contact with the metal plateand that the connecting members are embedded in the concrete slab. 32.The method according to claim 31 for the assembly of the self-supportingstructure, wherein the concrete slab comprises : a plurality of firstconcrete slabs arranged side by side along the first direction betweensaid primary beams and comprising first edges extending along the firstdirection, preferably aligned with each other, and a concrete connectingstrip formed in contact with the metal plate and in contact with thefirst edges of the first concrete slabs, the connecting members beingembedded in the connecting strip, and wherein step d) comprises : e)Arrange the first concrete slabs between the primary beams and above thesecondary beams so that their first edges extend in the first direction,f) Pour a concrete connecting strip in contact with the metal plate andsaid first edges so as to cover said connecting members.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 32, comprising a step g) subsequent to step f) whichcomprises making a cut along said first edges of the concrete slabs soas to detach said first concrete slabs from the wooden structure. 34.The method according to claim 33 for the assembly of the self-supportingstructure, wherein: each first concrete slab comprises a first metalframework embedded in a concrete matrix, said first metal framework ofeach first concrete slab comprising a portion formed protruding in thesecond direction relative to first edges of the first concrete slabs andbeing embedded in said concrete connecting strip, each first concreteslab comprises reservation holes formed in the thickness of the firstconcrete slabs and arranged regularly along the first direction, and themethod further comprises a step h) subsequent to step g) which comprisesthe insertion of metal bars into the reservation holes of each concreteslab.